A Qualitative Examination of the Sexual Possible Selves and Strategies of First-Semester College Students: How Sexual Possible Selves are Developed During the Transition to College

Perceived Teacher Support and Communication in Strategizing Possible Selves

“…Specifically, we found that adolescents who produced at least one concrete strategy were more engaged and perceived their teachers as more supportive. This supports previous studies that more specific action plans serve as a motivational resource that are closely associated with changing behaviors in the present that may impact adolescents' futures (Gollwitzer et al, 2004;Oyserman et al, 2004;Duckworth et al, 2011;Gollwitzer and Oettingen, 2011;Anders and Olmstead, 2018). Therefore, if adolescents have specific action plans (i.e., concrete strategies) to meet their expected possible selves or avoid their feared possible selves, they are more likely to have the next steps to achieve their goals (Clinkinbeard and Zohra, 2012;Anders and Olmstead, 2018).…”

“…Possible selves research indicates that individuals often look to others as models for the development of their future selves (Oyserman and Fryberg, 2006;Anders and Olmstead, 2018). Communicating positive feedback from others fosters hope and has the potential to increase an individual's self-efficacy and selfesteem, whereas negative feedback is associated with negative affect and lowered expectations that may stifle attempts to change or further develop (Ruvolo and Markus, 1992;Cross and Markus, 1994).…”

“…One example of a concrete strategy to deal with an adolescent's fear of dropping out of school would be to "take detailed notes in my math class, " as compared to an abstract strategy of "change my habits." If this "action plan" is more concrete, adolescents have specific next steps in figuring out how to achieve their goal (Clinkinbeard and Zohra, 2012;Anders and Olmstead, 2018). These strategies thus represent the motivational resource most closely tied to changing behavior (Oyserman et al, 2004;Anders and Olmstead, 2018).…”

“…If this "action plan" is more concrete, adolescents have specific next steps in figuring out how to achieve their goal (Clinkinbeard and Zohra, 2012;Anders and Olmstead, 2018). These strategies thus represent the motivational resource most closely tied to changing behavior (Oyserman et al, 2004;Anders and Olmstead, 2018). Gollwitzer et al (2004) discuss that the first step for implementation intention is to identify the goal and then plan actions that make the goal achievable.…”

A Decade Review of Sex and Partnering in Adolescence and Young Adulthood

“…In‐depth qualitative interviews were also used with some regularity. For example, interviews helped to increase understanding about friends with benefits relationships (Weaver, MacKeigan, & MacDonald, ) and hookups (Allison, ) and sexual expectations and fears (Anders & Olmstead, ). In addition, studies frequently used open‐ended questions embedded within surveys (typically online surveys) to content analyze responses to identify prominent themes and subthemes.…”